Peace Education
Peace Education · Schools
Peace Education
Coming SoonPeace Education for all age groups, a structured 12-lesson curriculum, from primary school to university.
- Certified peace educators
- 1,704+
- Countries
- 112
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Five initiatives
Our initiatives for lasting peace.
Each initiative addresses a lever where peace prevention can take effect, from binding international law to volunteer presence in the neighbourhood. Together they form a coherent programme for Austria.
- Levers
- 5·
- Active
- 4/5
- Coverage
- AT-wide
From Vienna, active nationwide.
At a glance
Five initiatives, one goal.
Click through the areas, each initiative stands for one concrete lever of impact.
Peace Law & DPCWDPCW · International LawPeace Law & DPCW
International peace law through the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), a concrete draft of international law with 10 articles and 38 clauses.
- DPCW articles
- 10
- Clauses
- 38
Im Detail ansehen →
Alliance of ReligionsWARP Office · Interreligious dialogueAlliance of Religions
Interreligious dialogue in the WARP Office format: comparing sacred scripture together, not debating but discovering peace as a shared foundation.
- WARP Offices worldwide
- 292
- Countries with WARP
- 132
Im Detail ansehen →
Youth for Peace (IPYG)IPYG · Youth ActivismYouth for Peace (IPYG)
International Peace Youth Group, a global youth network with over 1,500 partner organisations from 130 countries for a culture of peace and activism.
- Peace Advocates worldwide
- 200,000+
- Partner organisations
- 1,729
Im Detail ansehen →
Volunteering & CommunityVolunteering · ViennaVolunteering & Community
Local volunteer work in Vienna, cleanups, community events and a culture of peace in everyday life.
- Members worldwide
- 588,000+
- Partner organisations worldwide
- 1,415
Im Detail ansehen →
In detail
What each initiative actually does.
Jump directly to a specific initiative on the left, or read through all five levers top to bottom.
International Law
Peace Law & DPCW
International peace law through the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), a concrete draft of international law with 10 articles and 38 clauses.
The Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) was drafted on 14 March 2016 by 19 international jurists in the HWPL International Law Peace Committee. The draft contains 10 articles and 38 clauses, from a prohibition of aggression and gradual disarmament to peaceful dispute settlement, freedom of religion and a culture of peace. The global "Legislate Peace" campaign gathers citizens' endorsements to move governments to support it. So far the Pan-African Parliament (55 AU states), PARLATINO (23 Latin-American and Caribbean states), and national parliaments in Paraguay, the Dominican Republic and South Sudan have passed resolutions on the DPCW.
What we do
Translating the DPCW into German, bringing it into academia and engaging members of parliament.
What matters
Binding international law instead of non-binding declarations, that is the lever.
How you can contribute
Co-sign letters, organise talks or help with translation.
On the ground
In Austria
From Vienna, host to numerous international organisations and a UN duty station, HWPL Austria works to make the DPCW known across the German-speaking world. The association mediates between civil society, academic institutions and political decision-makers and coordinates the Legislate Peace campaign in Austria.
Activities
4 Formats- Translation and dissemination of the DPCW across the German-speaking world
- Lectures at Austrian universities on international law and peace prevention
- Letter campaigns to members of parliament and foreign-policy bodies
- Participation in international HWPL peace summits in Seoul
HWPL worldwide
- 10
- DPCW articles
- 38
- Clauses
- 922,507
- Citizen endorsements
- 178
- Countries with endorsements
LatestSeptember 2025
PARLATINO passes DPCW resolution
PARLATINO, the parliament of 23 Latin-American and Caribbean states, formally recommended all member states to adopt the DPCW as a peace-law framework, the largest multilateral legislative step to date.
International Framework · HWPL
The 10 articles of the DPCW
10 articles, 38 clauses, the legal framework draft behind our international-law work.
Alliance of Religions
Interreligious dialogue in the WARP Office format: comparing sacred scripture together, not debating but discovering peace as a shared foundation.
Since the first summit in September 2014, clergy of different traditions worldwide have been meeting in the WARP Office (World Alliance of Religions' Peace Office) to systematically compare scripture on specific topics, forgiveness, life after death, justice. The goal is not conversion but identifying a shared foundation for peace. Today, 292 WARP Offices operate in 132 countries. In January 2025, the 3rd International Religious Peace Academy (IRPA) gathered 1,212 participants from 100 countries, a record. In September 2025, the new Solidarity of Religions' Peace Committee (SRPC) was founded as a formalised structure for religious cooperation.
What we do
Organising WARP sessions, moderating scripture comparisons and connecting religious actors.
What matters
Compare instead of debate, make the shared foundation for peace visible.
How you can contribute
Bring in your community, attend a session or help as a bridge person.
On the ground
In Austria
Vienna is a historic bridge between East and West and home to many religious institutions as well as the KAICIID Dialogue Centre. HWPL Austria initiates local WARP sessions, regularly hosts scripture-comparison rounds and interreligious peace prayers, and cooperates with parishes, mosques, synagogues and Buddhist communities in the Vienna region. An Austrian Religious Peace Academy is currently in preparation.
Activities
4 Formats- Regular WARP Office meetings in Vienna
- Interreligious peace prayers and scripture-comparison rounds
- Preparation of an Austrian Religious Peace Academy
- Mediation between religious communities and educational institutions
HWPL worldwide
- 292
- WARP Offices worldwide
- 132
- Countries with WARP
- 1,212
- IRPA participants Jan 2025
Latest18 September 2025
Solidarity of Religions' Peace Committee (SRPC) founded
10 senior religious leaders founded the SRPC as a permanent structure for institutionalised religious cooperation, around 100 participants from various world religions were present.
In preparation, This initiative isn't active yet. Content and dates will follow.
Peace EducationIn preparation
Peace Education
Peace Education for all age groups, a structured 12-lesson curriculum, from primary school to university.
HWPL Peace Education conveys values such as respect, conflict resolution and global responsibility in 12 structured lessons, adapted to every age group. Worldwide, over 1,820 certified peace educators from 66 countries teach at more than 1,012 educational institutions in 112 countries. The Philippine Commission on Higher Education (CHED) set a historic milestone: by Memorandum Order, HWPL Peace Education was made mandatory at all Philippine higher-education institutions in 2019. Zambia announced a nationwide rollout to public schools in 2025.
What we're building
German-language materials for the 12 Peace Education lessons, currently in preparation.
Where it's going
Pilot workshop with Viennese teacher-training colleges and gymnasiums, then scaling within civic education.
How you can contribute
Are you an educator? Write to us, we're looking for pilot partners for 2026.
On the ground
In Austria
Peace Education in Austria is currently being built up. Together with educators we are developing first German-language teaching materials, exploring partnerships with University Colleges of Teacher Education, NMS schools and gymnasiums, and planning a pilot workshop for teachers. The goal is recognition of Peace Education as a supplementary module in civic education, first dates will follow in 2026.
Activities
4 Formats- Workshops for teachers and school classes in Vienna and Lower Austria
- Teaching materials on the DPCW and conflict prevention in German
- Peace competitions and writing initiatives for pupils
- Cooperation with University Colleges of Teacher Education
HWPL worldwide
- 1,704+
- Certified peace educators
- 112
- Countries
- 1,012
- Educational institutions worldwide
Latest15 April 2025
Zambia: MOU with 11 schools, nationwide rollout planned
In Lusaka, HWPL signed MOUs with 11 schools. Zambia's Ministry of Education announced a nationwide introduction of Peace Education, another national breakthrough after the Philippines.
IPYG, Youth Empowerment
Youth for Peace (IPYG)
International Peace Youth Group, a global youth network with over 1,500 partner organisations from 130 countries for a culture of peace and activism.
The International Peace Youth Group (IPYG) was founded in 2013 alongside HWPL and today connects more than 1,500 youth organisations from 130 countries under the motto "Peace in Action". Concrete programmes turn young people into peace-makers: the annual Peace Walk on 25 May, the Peace Letter Campaign (over 1 million hand-written letters to heads of state from 176 countries) and the Youth Empowerment Peace Class (YEPC) with participants from 57 countries.
What we're building
An Austrian IPYG crew built around empowerment trainings, cleanups and Peace Walks.
Where it's going
A training and mentoring format that equips young people to lead their own peace projects.
How you can contribute
Are you 16–35, or young at heart? Join the first generation and help shape the focus.
On the ground
In Austria
IPYG Austria is being built up. We are setting up the youth structure, gathering first contributors from Vienna and beyond, and are currently planning our Youth Leader Empowerment Program, a training and mentoring format that equips young people to lead their own peace projects. In parallel we focus on peer-to-peer workshops and shared cleanups. Anyone who wants to shape it is invited to become part of the first generation.
Activities
2 Formats- Peace Walk, once a year, next one in 2027 together with HWPL
- IPYG Talk concerts and peace festivals
HWPL worldwide
- 200,000+
- Peace Advocates worldwide
- 1,729
- Partner organisations
LatestSeptember 2025
500+ youth actions worldwide in one year
In 2025, IPYG groups in over 130 countries organised more than 500 peace events, from peace walks to letter campaigns to heads of state.
Volunteering & Community
Local volunteer work in Vienna, cleanups, community events and a culture of peace in everyday life.
HWPL International (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light) was founded in Seoul on 25 May 2013 and is active in over 170 countries today; it holds UN ECOSOC Special Consultative Status and is associated with the UN Department of Global Communications (DGC). Peace work starts in your own neighbourhood: HWPL Austria organises volunteer activities that combine low-threshold engagement with a culture of peace, open to everyone, regardless of religion, background or prior experience.
What we do
Cleanups, peace cafés and informal gatherings in Vienna, low-threshold, regular, open to all.
What matters
Peace is also practice in the neighbourhood, not a lecture, but rolling up your sleeves.
How you can contribute
Bring in your skills (language, social media, logistics), we'll find the right role.
On the ground
In Austria
In the Vienna region, HWPL cooperates with district initiatives, MA48 and local associations. Volunteers contribute what they can, as translators, at events, in the social-media team or in event organisation. The network is growing steadily, currently more than 30 volunteers are active.
Activities
4 Formats- Seasonal cleanups (Donaukanal, Prater, city parks)
- Peace cafés and informal gatherings
- Helping at lecture series and conferences
- Translation and editorial teams for DPCW materials in German
HWPL worldwide
- 588,000+
- Members worldwide
- 1,415
- Partner organisations worldwide
LatestSeptember 2025
11th HWPL World Peace Summit, 800+ leaders
At the summit in Cheongju (September 2025), more than 800 heads of state, parliamentary speakers and sector leaders from 170 countries gathered, the largest HWPL summit to date.
Upcoming dates
Be there, shape it.
Current events, workshops and actions by HWPL Austria, open to members and everyone interested.
Featured · Next event
Alliance of ReligionsOpen Dialogue · Interconfessional Scripture Dialogue
31 May 2026 · 19:30Online (via Zoom)
Interconfessional scripture dialogue on the topic of justice. Representatives from different Christian denominations place passages from the Bible side by side and discuss what peace means within each tradition. Open to guests, registration required.